MSG Staff volunteer at Imua Keiki O Ke Kai

Mahalo to Dustin, Lucy, Sharky and surf doggie Luna for volunteering at last week’s Imua Keiki O Ke Kai paddle day! Over 30 children & adults with special needs were able to take place in all sorts of water sports, with the help of many of Maui’s best water sports pros! It is such a moving, inspirational event that we each look forward to every year!

Mahalo to 808photos for the great memories, and to SICMauifor sponsoring these images!

Imua Keiki Kai (Go forward, children of the sea) was inspired by Andrea Moller’s vision to offer Camp Imua kids a way to enjoy one-on-one time with ocean athletes, with stand-up paddling, outrigger canoeing, and jet-ski rides. A day focused exclusively on the children of Camp Imua, Imua Keiki Kai is a pre-event for Bluesmiths Paddle Imua.

Paddle Imua, coming up on Saturday, May 7, 2016 is an annual fundraising event with all proceeds going directly to Camp Imua. The mission of Paddle Imua is a multiple discipline paddle race that celebrates the lives of special needs children by embracing our connection to the ocean.

The event is made possible with title Sponsorship from Bluesmiths Crafted Waterwear, support from various athletes and the generosity of Maui businesses. Paddle Imua welcomes athletes who paddle stand up paddleboards (SUP), OC1/OC2s, prone paddleboards and surf skis.

Paddle Imua’s vision is to transform Camp Imua’s 38 historic years here on Maui and create a physical embodiment of the Hawaiian word Imua (‘to move forward’). Imua comes from the water and paddling, so “Paddle Imua” is meant to help move Camp Imua forward for many years to come.

One of the unique aspects of this water competition on Maui is that the competitors will also be given the opportunity to mix and mingle with the special needs children of Camp Imua at the finish of the race and give the kids some water sports exposure and inspiration to live out their dreams.